Insights

This year’s Year in Sports Media report highlights consumers’ global love of sports, which continues to grow. 2014 was a big year for sports, beginning with the Sochi Winter Olympics and then featuring one of the most exciting World Cups ever held.

These big events and the ubiquity of mobile apps and devices throughout the world made 2014 the year sports consumption on mobile truly went mainstream. The growth in digital video viewing from 2013 to 2014 was nothing short of extraordinary, and not just among younger consumers. While the 18-34 set posted a 53% increase in digital viewing from Q2 2013 to Q2 2014, viewing grew an even more impressive 80% and 60% among Americans 35-49 and 50-64, respectively. Fans continue to increase consumption and engage with sports content in a variety of different ways across a multitude of devices.

Tracking the Influence of Technology

In 2008, smartphones were a nascent technology. By the end of 2010, however, penetration in the U.S. had jumped to 30%. Today, it sits at a staggering 75%, complemented by the rapid emergence of smart TVs and tablets.